ACRETIN C GEL 30G

Indications

Approved Uses

Acne vulgaris (topical treatment of acne lesions).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

Acne vulgaris: Apply a pea-sized amount in a thin layer to the entire affected area once daily at bedtime (do not exceed once daily).

Initial Dose

Apply a pea-sized amount as a thin layer to the entire affected area once daily at bedtime.

Maintenance Dose

Apply a pea-sized amount as a thin layer to the entire affected area once daily at bedtime.

Maximum Dose

Apply once daily (typically a thin layer to affected areas); do not apply more than once per day unless specifically directed.

Children's Dosage

Not approved for children under 12 years of age

Dose Adjustment Notes

No systemic dose adjustment is applicable for topical use; if significant irritation occurs, reduce frequency temporarily (e.g., every other night) and/or use moisturizer, then increase as tolerated.

How to Take

Cleanse gently and pat skin completely dry; apply a pea-sized amount as a thin film to the entire acne-prone/affected area once daily at bedtime; avoid eyes, lips, nostrils, and mucous membranes; wash hands after application; use moisturizer as needed and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen each morning.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Application-site irritation (dryness, peeling/scaling, erythema/redness, burning/stinging, pruritus) and increased photosensitivity/sunburn risk.

Side Effect Frequency

Very common (≥10%): application-site dryness, erythema/redness, peeling/scaling. Common (1-10%): burning/stinging, pruritus/itching, irritation, photosensitivity/sunburn. Uncommon/rare: contact dermatitis; gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhea/colitis are rare but possible due to clindamycin class effect with systemic absorption.

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to clindamycin, lincomycin, tretinoin, or any component; history of regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis; concomitant use with erythromycin-containing products (avoid).

Warnings & Precautions

Avoid eyes/lips/mucous membranes; not for oral/ophthalmic/intravaginal use; photosensitivity-minimize sun/sunlamps and use sunscreen; expect irritation early and reduce frequency/stop if severe; discontinue and seek care if significant diarrhea occurs; avoid/space other irritating topicals and avoid waxing on treated areas.

Age Restriction

Not approved under 12 years.

Driving Warning

Safe

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

Avoid erythromycin-containing products; caution with other irritating/drying topicals (e.g., benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, astringents) due to additive irritation; benzoyl peroxide can oxidize tretinoin-separate application times; clindamycin may potentiate neuromuscular blocking agents if systemically absorbed.

Interaction Severity

MODERATE: Topical erythromycin (possible antagonism with clindamycin); MODERATE: Benzoyl peroxide (may oxidize/inactivate tretinoin-separate application times); MODERATE: Other topical retinoids/irritants (additive irritation); MINOR: Abrasive/drying cleansers or alcohol-based products (additive irritation).

Food Interaction

None (not applicable for topical administration).

Alcohol Interaction

Safe

Special Populations

Pregnancy

Category C

Children

Not approved for children under 12 years of age

Kidney Impairment

No adjustment needed

Liver Impairment

No adjustment needed

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

Can be stopped if significant irritation or diarrhea/colitis symptoms occur; otherwise discontinue per prescriber plan (acne may recur after stopping).

Overdose

Excess topical application may cause marked local irritation/erythema/peeling; manage by stopping/reducing use and supportive skin care; systemic toxicity is unlikely but ingestion warrants medical evaluation.

Patient Counseling

Use once nightly on clean, completely dry skin; apply a pea-sized amount thinly to the whole affected area and avoid eyes/lips/nasal creases and broken skin; expect dryness/peeling/redness early and use non-comedogenic moisturizer; use daily broad-spectrum sunscreen and limit sun/UV exposure; avoid harsh scrubs/astringents and consider separating benzoyl peroxide to morning if used; stop and seek care for severe/watery/bloody diarrhea (rare but serious with clindamycin); store below 30°C and keep tube closed.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring required. Monitor for severe skin irritation or persistent diarrhea.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Clindamycin phosphate (converted to clindamycin) inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding the 50S ribosomal subunit, reducing Cutibacterium acnes and inflammation; tretinoin (a retinoid) binds retinoic acid receptors to normalize follicular keratinization, reduce microcomedone formation, and increase epidermal turnover.

Bioavailability

Systemic absorption after topical use is low: clindamycin is minimally absorbed (typically a few percent at most; often reported <5%), and tretinoin has minimal percutaneous absorption (generally <2%).

Metabolism

Clindamycin phosphate is hydrolyzed in the skin to active clindamycin; any absorbed clindamycin undergoes hepatic metabolism. Tretinoin is metabolized mainly in the liver via CYP-mediated oxidation/isomerization to multiple metabolites (including isomers such as 13-cis-retinoic acid).

Protein Binding

Protein binding (systemic, if absorbed): clindamycin ~90-95%; tretinoin >99% (primarily albumin).

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Gel (topical).

Composition per Dose

Per gram of gel: Clindamycin 10 mg (as clindamycin phosphate 1.2%) + Tretinoin 0.25 mg (0.025%)

Generic Availability

Yes

Skin Condition

Acne

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